Robert supports the UK’s largest ever blood cancer awareness campaign

Robert Buckland MP is supporting a national campaign by blood cancer charity Bloodwise, to coincide with Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September.

Thousands of giant billboards have been unveiled across the country as part of the UK’s largest ever blood cancer public awareness campaign, which are highlighting the fact that blood cancer is comprised of 137 individual diseases.

Every year in the UK 38,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer, with 14,000 people tragically losing their life. It is the UK’s third biggest cancer killer and combined blood cancer accounts for 1 in 10 of all new cancer diagnoses each year. Yet despite claiming more lives in the UK each year than breast or prostate cancer, research undertaken by Bloodwise has revealed that many people have little or no knowledge about blood cancers.

Throughout September Bloodwise are calling on MPs to support the campaign, and help raise awareness of blood cancer in their constituencies.

Diana Jupp, Director of Patient Experience at Bloodwise, said: ‘‘It’s fantastic that Robert Buckland MP is showing his support for blood cancer patients and their families and sharing the important messages of our campaign with constituents in South Swindon.’’

“38,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer each year in the UK, yet very few people are familiar with the term “blood cancer”. Patients have told us that a lack of awareness has a significant impact throughout their patient journey – from confusion and uncertainty at diagnosis to being unaware of the organisations that provide the support and care they need.”

“This lack of awareness of one of the most common forms of cancer cannot be tackled overnight, and this campaign is the first step to addressing this problem. Increased political support is crucial if we are to improve outcomes for all patients affected by the 137 types of blood cancer.’’

Robert said: “I am delighted to be backing this campaign, and I pay tribute to Bloodwise for offering support to blood cancer patients, their family and friends, and for raising awareness about blood cancer in its various forms. Next month I’ll be running the Swindon Half-Marathon to support a fantastic local charity called ‘CALM’ (Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Movement) which helps families in my constituency who have a child with cancer or leukaemia.”